I think McCain just became the frontrunner

[iQuest Golfer]

Patriotism? Love of country over greed? Wanting to see America get stronger not weaker?

Love of country, yes... but, if my labor is taxed to support families that don't work and expect a hand-out; believe me, that ain't going to happen during my lifetime.

Greed in the small business sector? I agree we do have a problem with big business; but, like Birdieman says, "By moving it down to $1 million you cripple the small businesses." Small business runs this country. For every jerk that rips off the public, there are 15-20 small business owners that are working their fingers to the bone to help their employees keep their jobs and benefits. If there is no incentive for small business to make a buck, while paying a wage and supplying healthcare and retirement benefits to employees, you'll see more and more people become ex-pats... looking to maximize their investments and live the life they have rightfully earned. Wanting to see America get stronger? Help me understand that one when we're headed straight for a welfare state if Obama gets the nod? There is no strength, or hope, in socialism. None, nada, nope! Redistributing wealth never works. There is no free lunch. And, small business owners know that first hand. The world is hoping that Obama will win. That will do more to weaken the US than anything else. And, when that happens, you wait and see what will happen to the world... our military still keeps the peace in over 70 countries. I'd love to see us bring all the troops home from every country we are in; however, I'm also not a fan of ethnic cleansing, genocide, and the other atrocities that will take place when evil men conspire and desire to redistribute the wealth, the land, and the people. As an independent, I can see more hope with McCain in office than Obama, especially, if the Democrats secure a majority in both the House and Senate. I am encouraged that many more Americans are seeing that as well. I can only hope that more Americans, especially the youth, see through the Obama, et al. is spreading. Time to go hit the ball and contemplate more honorable things...

[Grogger31]

As an independent ...

Now THAT is funny. I'll have to use that one in the future.

[iQuest Golfer]

Now THAT is funny. I'll have to use that one in the future.

Let's be clear... I'm not affiliated with the Independent movement. The only thing they do is dilute and ruin an election. America has a two party system. I get just as

at the Republicans too. They are not holding up their part of the bargin either. The beauty of politics is... you get to choose your candidates when you step behind the curtain. In my youth I was a Democrat because I had a heart and compassion ; as I've aged, and become a business owner, Republicans have generally had the better platform for business. With all the crap that both parties have pulled over the last 20 years, they have to earn my vote now. I'm not a party man but an independent, centric, conservative with an opinion; does that make sense? McCain wasn't my first choice either. But he'll balance out the Democrats so the country won't totally go to hell in a hand basket. Funny? You can use it any time! Now, I am leaving to hit the ball. Cheers!

[Grogger31]

Let's be clear... I'm not affiliated with the Independent movement. The only thing they do is dilute and ruin an election. America has a two party system. I get just as

That makes total sense and the most honest explanation I've heard yet about the reason a Republican is an Republican (despite your claims otherwise). At least you are honest about the reason, which I respect.

[nasabogey24]

McCain will not even receive 1% of the Hillary votes. Hillary represents everything Sarah Palin does not. The fact of the matter is it doesnt really matter which party wins the presidency. Neither party cares about you or your family. All they care about is power and money. Politics is nothing more than a struggle for power and the ones that receive that power do a great job lying, convincing, and conning the average American to vote for them. As long as we all continue to think the same, dress the same, speak the same, worship the same, and consume the same, nothing will change. Let's face it, consumerism is our god and has been since our complacency, apathy, and "me first" attittude went mainstream. Oh well, I guess all things must eventually come to end. Just look at the Roman Empire.

[immts007]

McCain will not even receive 1% of the Hillary votes. Hillary represents everything Sarah Palin does not. The fact of the matter is it doesnt really matter which party wins the presidency. Neither party cares about you or your family. All they care about is power and money. Politics is nothing more than a struggle for power and the ones that receive that power do a great job lying, convincing, and conning the average American to vote for them. As long as we all continue to think the same, dress the same, speak the same, worship the same, and consume the same, nothing will change. Let's face it, consumerism is our god and has been since our complacency, apathy, and "me first" attittude went mainstream. Oh well, I guess all things must eventually come to end. Just look at the Roman Empire.

You know, nasabogey, I think you and I are in almost complete agreement, mang. Except there is one big difference: the culture war. Have you seen "Jesus Camp"? Frightening. That is the "base" that Karl Rove has successfully mobilized for the past 8 years. And they are appeasing them with supreme court justices. The funny thing is, is that I might very well vote Republican occasionally if it wasn't for that. But as it is, I vote a straight party line ticket.

I think conservatives who are not religious fanatics, who turn a blind eye to this, because it is helping them win elections, do so at their own (and this country's) peril.

[joshtpa]

You are obviously not a small business owner. I am Jew. I am not a religious fanatic at all. But if Obama wins the election myself and thousands of other small businesses go out of business. You can forget small business at that point. The $1million dollar mark makes it absurd for the small businesses to have any employees. It is impossible to still make an income. Im a registered independent. Not one time voting Republican have I ever seen the religious side of conservatives EFFECT ME. I dont see it affect anybody I know. Yet it is the one thing that keeps getting brought up. Some will say the war is a war of religion, maybe it is, maybe its not. However, how anyone can decide to raise taxes upwards of 15% to small business owners is absolutely crazy. Yet Obama's plan is to do just that. 4% more if you were currently paying 35% and 11% on the payroll tax. It cannot be done.

[ganjagolfer]

outside of who is reporting it, the facts speak for themselves that palin tried to fire the librarian for her not removing books from the library

i have no idea why i have been given negative rep points for this post. its a fact that sarah palin tried to fire the town's librarian cuz she wouldn't remove books from the library that sarah didn't approve of.

[julie_m]

i have no idea why i have been given negative rep points for this post. its a fact that sarah palin tried to fire the town's librarian cuz she wouldn't remove books from the library that sarah didn't approve of.

People give negative rep points any time they're caught being wrong.

Are you sure it's for THAT post?

[erniebanks]

outside of who is reporting it, the facts speak for themselves that palin tried to fire the librarian for her not removing books the library

Your thought process must have been:

1. I heard it. 2. I want to believe it. 3. It must be a fact! From all I can gather, it has not been proved. If it were a "fact" the Demos would be all over it. I am sure they will not let it drop under the table. I looked at the "list of books" cited as being on Gov. Palin's ban and found several that were not published when the "offense" occured(1996).

[joshtpa]

I just looked at the exact same list. There was no way this was FACT!

[immts007]

Yeah not strictly a fact, ganj.

What appear to be facts are:

Palin asked the librarian if she would be okay with banning books if she were asked to do so.

The librarian said she wouldn't do it for her.

About 2 months later the librarian was fired.

I say appear to be facts , because as far as I can tell this is from the testimony of one person: the librarian.

[joshtpa]

How is testimony from one side "appear to be facts"? That is like saying everytime someone gets sued, they call the plaintiff and then give a ruling, rather than hear from the defendent.

[immts007]

How is testimony from one side "appear to be facts"? That is like saying everytime someone gets sued, they call the plaintiff and then give a ruling, rather than hear from the defendent.

I'm assuming the librarian isn't a liar, and so far, I don't believe anyone has accused her of being one.

[joshtpa]

You know what they say about assumptions. Nobody is questioning her getting fired, but until we know why she was terminated, why jump to conclusions!

[immts007]

You know what they say about assumptions. Nobody is questioning her getting fired, but until we know why she was terminated, why jump to conclusions!

You know, you are going a little overboard. I said "appear" and "assume" openly. I'm not stating things as fact, birdieman.

However you seem fine with jumping to conclusions about what the results would be changing tax or drug policy and stating what those results would be in no uncertain terms. Isn't that a little hypocritical?

[joshtpa]

I am not the one that said FACT or APPEARS TO BE FACT in regards to this matter. I said that we should wait to hear from both sides in this before making a judgement! Changing the tax policy is a little different. It has already been said that the small business tax would increase based on revenue lines and that personal would increase from 35 to 39. Thats not an argument, it is simple math.

[julie_m]

Easy, easy guys! Let's not all start calling names.

immts007 has as much a right to talk as any of us. If you want to break it down, old-school Heidegger style, do any of us really know anything is a fact? No, we're usually not there, no, we can't get in the heads of both prosecution and defendant, yes, we're human and likely to form opinions that might be biased. But that river flows both ways.

Here's both sides, when ABC news went poking about :

"According to coverage in the local newspaper, the Frontiersman, Palin asked the librarian at a meeting "if she would object to censorship even if people were circling the library in protest about a book."

The report quotes the librarian as responding, "I told her clearly I will fight anyone who tries to indicate what books can go on the library shelves."

The same week that Palin raised the issue she fired Baker (then using her married name Emmons) as librarian, claiming she was not "loyal" to the new administration and had supported Palin's opponent in the election. She said the dismissal was not connected to questions of censorship, and that she had dismissed all city department heads and told them they could re-apply for their jobs.

After a public outcry, Palin rescinded the dismissal of the librarian."

Now lets wrap up the librarian thing. We don't know for sure, but we can each add it up our own ways. Let's not be rude. Like Smallville said...'can't wait til the election is over so we can all be friends again.' Go vote, voice your opinion on that piece of paper, and when the president is elected, move on.